Kawagoe · Around Kawagoe Castle and Hikawa Shrine
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine
How to get there and what to see · facts checked 2026-10-24
Photo: wongwt・CC BY-SA 2.0
Kawagoe's guardian shrine with about 1,500 years of history, known for matchmaking. A wooden torii gate 15 meters tall marks the entrance.
- Nearest station
- Bus from the station to 'Kawagoe Hikawa Jinja', 0-minute walk
- Hours
- No opening hours listed for the grounds
- Admission
- Open to all for worship. There is no free parking
What to see
- Great torii: a 15 m wooden gate on the east approach, among the largest wooden ones in Japan. The shrine's name on it was written by Katsu Kaishu.
- Main hall: covered in fine Edo-style carving. In May 2026 a national council recommended it as an Important Cultural Property (designation follows an official notice).
- Matchmaking: the shrine honors couples and a family of gods. Tradition says taking a small stone from the grounds and keeping it brings good ties.
- En-musubi wind chimes: about 2,000 Edo glass chimes decorate the grounds in summer (June 27 – September 6 in 2026).
Seasons
- Summer brings the wind-chime display. The Kawagoe Festival in mid-October accompanies the shrine's annual grand festival.
History
Tradition dates its founding to 541. After the castle was built in the Muromachi period, it was revered as the guardian of the castle town.
Getting there
Take a Tobu Bus from Kawagoe Station (stop 7) or Hon-Kawagoe Station (stop 5) to 'Kawagoe Hikawa Jinja'; the shrine is right there. The Koedo loop bus stops at 'Hikawa Jinja-mae'. No official walking time is given.
Address：2-11-3 Miyashita-cho, Kawagoe, Saitama
Before you go
In the grounds, tripods, monopods, large flashes, pets and soap bubbles are not allowed.
Map of sights in Kawagoe
Tap a red pin to open that sight's page.
Nearby sights
← Kawagoe guide: trains from Tokyo
Sources
Hours, prices and history come from the official websites and public tourism pages listed here. They can change, so check the official site before you go.
- 川越氷川神社 公式サイト（交通のご案内）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 川越氷川神社 公式サイト（トップ・お知らせ）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 川越氷川神社 公式サイト（ご参拝のご案内）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 川越氷川神社 公式サイト（ご紹介）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 川越氷川神社 公式サイト（縁むすび風鈴）（checked 2026-10-24）
- 小江戸川越観光協会（川越氷川神社）（checked 2026-10-24）
Map data：© OpenStreetMap contributors